Jackson slimed down and suited up

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The Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS --
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Grady Jackson was on the field when the team went through its first training camp practice on Saturday.
Jackson, who had been criticized for being overweight and out ...

NEW ORLEANS --
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Grady Jackson was on the field when the team went through its first training camp practice on Saturday.

Jackson, who had been criticized for being overweight and out of shape during the season last year, and missing the offseason work this year, missed the mandatory 6 p.m. meeting Friday night. He had called coach Jim Haslett and told him he would be late for personal reasons.

Jackson was demoted from his starting spot after he weighed in at 366 pounds in the first minicamp in May.

"I've just got to work my way back up," Jackson said. "It's no problem."

Jackson said he weighed 343 pounds after spending the time before camp working out and working with a nutritionist.

He worked very little Friday morning, but Haslett said Grady would get back into the lineup.

Jackson refused to elaborate on his personal problems, but said he was not overweight or out of shape last season. He skipped the offseason work because of the talk about his contribution to team problems last season.

"The rumors were that it's all Grady and Norman's fault that there are problems with the defense," Jackson said. "I didn't feel like I was part of this team."

Good news, but if he can get down to 325 or lower, he can be a flat out stud.
18 lbs in 5 weeks isn\'t that hard to do when your 343 lbs to start with.

With the addition of Ford, a hot shot rookie Sullivan, along with a motivated Smith (who can play all four spots on the line), perhaps a Grady that brings his A-game, the DT spot seems to be as solid as we\'ve had in years, and now appears relatively deep. We may not be the TB Bucs yet, but we look a lot better than last year.

I\'m sure Grady\'s hurt feelings will heal when he busts somebody in the mouth and all the players start hootin and hollerin and Haslet gives him that quick little grin of approval.

Glad to hear he\'s in camp hope he gets it together. The local news covered the first practice and showed Grady huffing and puffing pretty bad. He had to take himself out of some of the drills being run, so he still has a way to go before he is ready to play.

The important thing is he\'s back with the Saints now. You know I didn\'t realize that Grady had 5.5 sacks last year until I read it yesterday. That\'s not bad for a DT. If they bring him along slowly and find a way to motivate him, he could be a big help to the defense this year.